It was not a flawless performance, but the Los Angeles Rams secured a trip to the NFC Championship game following their thrilling 30-27 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC divisional round.
Even after the Rams built a stern 27-3 lead over the reigning Super Bowl champions, quarterback Tom Brady did not throw in the towel. He guided four scoring drives in the second half that tied the game up at 27-27.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford responded with arguably the biggest throw of his career to date with a crucial 44-yard completion to wide receiver Cooper Kupp in the fourth quarter that set up a game-winning 30-yard field goal by kicker Matt Gay.
Stafford sure felt confident about the play due to one reason, which he touched on in his post-game interview with NBC Sports’ Michele Tafoya.
“They tried to bring everybody on the last one,” Stafford said. “Not a good recipe.”
Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles sent six different players to rush Stafford on that late play. Kupp was then able to weave into open space downfield, which essentially gave no chance to Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. to quickly track and make any play on the ball.
The Rams have clinched a spot in the NFC Championship game for the second time in the Sean McVay era, as they will meet the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers recorded a season sweep over the Rams in the regular season, which included a win against them in Week 18 that notched San Francisco a berth in the playoffs as a wild-card team.
The Rams and 49ers should provide another thrilling installment to their rivalry next week.
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